Recaps

Naruto brought Karin, an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan, to the Sarutobi residence to speak urgently with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Asuma and Hiruzen were both shaken by Karin’s resemblance, beside Naruto, to Kushina and Minato, and Hiruzen rose unsteadily after realizing the girl was real.

• Naruto and Karin arrived at the Sarutobi residence late at night and Asuma opened the door.
• Asuma was struck by the resemblance between Naruto and Karin together and his memories of Minato and Kushina.
• Naruto told Asuma that Karin was an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan and asked to see Hiruzen urgently.
• Asuma led Naruto and Karin to Hiruzen’s study, where Hiruzen saw the red-haired girl and froze.
• Hiruzen rubbed his eyes, confirmed Karin was real, and rose unsteadily from his desk.

Naruto introduced Karin to Hiruzen Sarutobi as an Uzumaki Clan survivor, and Karin recounted the abuse she and her mother suffered in Kusagakure. Hiruzen declared Karin a Konoha villager, promised to protect her, and said he would deal with Kusagakure personally.

• Naruto brought Karin before Hiruzen Sarutobi and identified her as a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan.
• Karin told Hiruzen how Kusagakure exploited her mother for her healing abilities until she died.
• Karin described how Kusagakure imprisoned, abused, and used her as a living medical tool after her mother's death.
• Hiruzen slammed his fist on the desk and condemned Kusagakure's treatment of Karin, while Asuma demanded that Konoha act.
• Hiruzen declared Karin a villager of Konoha and promised to guarantee her safety and future.

Naruto persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to let Karin stay with him after she refused to be separated from him. At Naruto’s home, he comforted her through the night, and Karin finally fell asleep feeling safe.

• Karin clung to Naruto and refused Hiruzen Sarutobi’s plan to place her elsewhere, so Naruto offered to care for her at home.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed and learned that Konohamaru had inadvertently tipped Naruto off about Karin.
• Naruto brought Karin home, where they found Inoichi’s note saying he would be working late.
• Karin asked Naruto to sleep with her because she was afraid to be alone, and Naruto made a bed on the floor beside hers.
• Karin reached for Naruto’s hand in the dark, and he held it until she fell asleep.

Naruto woke beside Karin, but Inoichi misunderstood their clasped hands and confronted him before hearing Karin’s story. Hiashi and Neji returned early, and Hiashi asked Naruto to take Neji to find Hinata and Hanabi so he could speak privately with Inoichi.

• Inoichi saw Karin holding Naruto’s hand and angrily tried to pin Naruto down, but Naruto accidentally elbowed him into the doorframe.
• Naruto explained that Karin was an abused Uzumaki orphan staying temporarily with Third’s permission, and Inoichi apologized for his misunderstanding.
• Karin asked whether Inoichi was Naruto’s father, and Inoichi firmly denied it.
• Hiashi and Neji returned from their mission, and Naruto told Hiashi that Hinata and Hanabi were at the Yamanaka Clan’s place with Ino.
• Hiashi told Naruto to take Neji to find Hinata and Hanabi so he could discuss something privately with Inoichi.

Naruto brought Karin, a rescued Uzumaki orphan, to the Yamanaka Flower Shop, where Hinata and Ino reacted with jealousy before learning she was Naruto’s clanswoman. Watching them, Neji reflected on his new role as Hyuga Clan Heir and the responsibility Hiashi had entrusted to him to end the clan’s division between Main and Branch Families.

• Naruto, Neji, and Karin went to the Yamanaka Flower Shop and found Hinata, Hanabi, and Ino there.
• Ino and Hinata reacted uneasily to Karin clinging to Naruto until Naruto explained that he had rescued her from Kusagakure and that she belonged to the Uzumaki Clan.
• Rino welcomed Karin, while Hinata relaxed and Neji observed the girls’ reactions.
• Neji remembered Hiashi ordering him to kill the final elder involved in the conspiracy, and Neji recalled striking the elder down.
• Neji reflected that Hiashi had freed the Caged Bird Seal of its power over his fate and named him Hyuga Clan Heir, entrusting him with reforming the clan and protecting his cousins’ freedom.

Neji returned from Kirigakure with Hinata and Hanabi, revealing a new closeness with Hiashi as he brought them home. Naruto organized a strategy meeting for the joint Chunin Ninja Exams, while Third assessed the participating villages and worried that the Fourth Mizukage’s death could spark fresh turmoil.

• Neji told Hanabi and the others that Hiashi had returned early and asked him to bring Hinata and Hanabi home, addressing Hiashi as “Uncle” for the first time.
• Rino sent Hinata and Hanabi to pack, while Naruto invited Ino, Neji, and their friends to discuss tactics for the joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Neji agreed to join the meeting after taking Hinata and Hanabi home, and Naruto suggested they meet at Yakiniku Q.
• Third reviewed the exam roster, noting that Ōnoki had declined Iwagakure’s invitation and that Kusagakure had effectively lost a team.
• Third considered the possibility that the Fourth Mizukage had been assassinated and feared Kirigakure might blame Konoha, as Sunagakure had after the Third Kazekage’s disappearance.

The Konoha 12 gathered at Yakiniku Q to welcome Karin and discuss strategy for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams. After the meal, Shikamaru warned Ino to make an effort if she truly wanted to pursue Naruto.

• Naruto brought Karin to the Konoha 12’s first gathering with everyone present, and the group warmly congratulated them on finding a clanmate.
• Shino and Shikamaru urged the others to conserve strength and coordinate against competitors from other villages, especially Sunagakure and Amegakure.
• Naruto asked Ino to use her Mind Transmission Technique to create a communication network and offered to supply chakra for it.
• After the meal, Shikamaru watched Naruto and Karin leave together, then told Ino she should try harder if she wanted to pursue Naruto.
• Choji reassured Ino that he and Shikamaru would support her as members of Ino-Shika-Cho.

Kakashi told Team 7 that he and Hanare would marry next month, then explained the Chunin Ninja Exams as the team arrived at the Ninja Academy. Naruto recognized the entrance trick and headed upstairs while one of his Shadow Clones searched Konoha’s sewers for Root’s base.

• Kakashi announced that he and Hanare would marry next month, crediting Naruto with helping them submit their marriage application.
• Kakashi explained the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Team 7 arrived at the Ninja Academy.
• Naruto recognized the Not-Here Technique at the fake Room 301 and led Team 7 upstairs without revealing Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki’s identities.
• Naruto glanced at Sakura with a trace of regret, and Sakura noticed his attention and wondered why he had looked at her.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clone, disguised as Menma, searched the sewers with the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to locate the Root Base.

Naruto guided Konoha's Genin through his theory that the first Chunin Exam round would test intelligence gathering rather than academic knowledge. As the group prepared to enter the exam hall, Kabuto observed Naruto's growing influence and planned to report what he had seen to Orochimaru.

• Naruto used Ino's Mind Transmission Technique to ask Hinata and Neji to scout the exam hall with their Byakugan.
• Neji and Hinata found a classroom-like setup, and Neji reported that the first round appeared to be a written exam, alarming Rock Lee, Kiba, and Choji.
• Naruto argued that the exam would test intelligence gathering and adaptability, then outlined likely team and individual rounds that would follow.
• Naruto advised his companions to watch the examiners and other candidates, and to use any means that would not get them disqualified.
• Kabuto watched Naruto lead the group and decided to send his observations to Orochimaru after the first exam.

Naruto reassured Hinata before the Chunin Ninja Exams' written stage began, while Neji interrupted their close conversation and Ibiki laid out the rules. Naruto then identified a likely planted candidate whose answers the Konoha team could copy, and Neji confirmed the first answers appeared correct.

• Naruto encouraged Hinata and asked her to cook for him if they both passed the exams, and she shyly agreed.
• Neji struck Naruto's shoulder, warned him and Hinata to mind themselves, and returned to his seat after Ibiki ordered him to.
• Ibiki explained the written exam's scoring rules, team penalties, and one-hour time limit before starting the test.
• Naruto used Ino's Mind Transmission Technique to tell the team that a candidate was answering unusually quickly and might be planted among them.
• Neji used his Byakugan to check the candidate's answers and reported that the first two appeared correct.

During the first exam, Konoha's candidates used a variety of techniques to gather answers, while Naruto, Hinata, and Sakura answered the questions on their own. Naruto's Shadow Clone located a suspected Root Base beneath Konoha, leaving Naruto ready for Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan.

• Ino used the Mind Body Switch Technique to copy a candidate's answers, but failed to take control of Naruto before helping Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi.
• Akamaru helped Kiba Inuzuka find answers, Shino's bugs spied on another candidate, and Neji Hyuga used his Byakugan to read a test.
• Sasuke Uchiha used his Sharingan to copy Ino's writing movements, while Tenten used mirrors and Chakra Threads to pass answers to Rock Lee.
• Naruto Uzumaki, Hinata Hyuga, and Sakura Haruno calmly answered the questions without using any special methods.
• Naruto's Shadow Clone, disguised as Menma, found a suspected Root Base beneath Konoha and dispelled itself, sending its memories to Naruto.
• Naruto realized the search was complete and waited for Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan to begin.

Ibiki Morino announced that examinees who refused the tenth question would fail alongside their teammates, while anyone who answered incorrectly would be barred from future Chunin Exams. As the room filled with fear, Naruto comforted Hinata, and Ibiki noticed their quiet exchange.

• Ibiki Morino announced that refusing the tenth question meant an immediate failure for the examinee and both teammates, while answering incorrectly meant a permanent ban from the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• The examinees were overwhelmed by the choice and its consequences, and many began to tremble or lose hope.
• Naruto took Hinata's hand and reassured her that he was there, easing her fear.
• Ibiki noticed Naruto comforting Hinata and privately speculated about Naruto's romantic interests.
• The examinees mistook Ibiki's barely restrained smile for a sinister grin, and some began to crumble under the pressure.

Ibiki Morino ended the first Chunin Exam after revealing that it tested candidates’ resolve, and all who remained passed. Naruto and Hinata celebrated together as the surviving candidates recovered from the ordeal.

• Candidate 50 gave up on the tenth question, and Ibiki disqualified him along with teammates 130 and 111.
• More candidates surrendered under pressure, leaving their teams to be eliminated until 78 candidates remained.
• Ibiki consulted the proctors, judged that the remaining candidates had proved their resolve, and announced that they had all passed the first exam.
• Ibiki laughed as he explained that the test had been a psychological trial of willpower as well as knowledge and intelligence gathering.
• Naruto let go of Hinata’s hand, and the two shared a relieved, happy moment after passing.

Mitaraishi Anko made a dramatic entrance to announce the second exam, which would eliminate more than half the candidates. After getting the exam details and preparing his teammates for a night in the Forest of Death, Naruto returned home and found a woman in a blue-green cloak holding Big Yellow; she greeted him as Mr. Yōya.

• Mitaraishi Anko burst into the examination room, announced herself as the second-round examiner, and told the candidates to ask their instructors for the exam's time and location.
• Mitaraishi Anko warned that she would reduce the seventy-eight candidates to fewer than half in the next round, then departed through the broken window.
• Naruto learned the second exam's schedule from Kakashi and told his teammates to prepare for a night in the Forest of Death with extra food and water.
• Naruto returned home cautiously and found Karin standing beside the sofa while an unfamiliar woman in a blue-green cloak stroked Big Yellow.
• The woman turned to Naruto, welcomed him home, and addressed him as Mr. Yōya.

Kazahana Koyuki visited Naruto to seek Konoha’s help protecting the Land of Snow after its ninja forces were gone. She proposed that Naruto become the Land of Snow’s daimyo and teased him about bringing Karin as another wife.

• Naruto recognized Kazahana Koyuki, the Land of Snow’s daimyo, and welcomed his old acquaintance into his home.
• Kazahana Koyuki claimed the Land of Fire’s daimyo had agreed to take Naruto as her retainer, but Naruto pointed out that the Third Hokage had refused.
• Karin blocked Kazahana Koyuki from approaching Naruto, and Koyuki agreed to keep her distance.
• Kazahana Koyuki explained that she wanted a long-term alliance with Konoha to protect the Land of Snow, which had no ninja left.
• Kazahana Koyuki offered to hand Naruto the daimyo position and teased that he could bring Karin as another wife, making Karin blush.

Naruto gave Kazahana Koyuki a kunai and a paper crane so he could locate her if danger arose, while she chose to remain in Konoha despite his warning. Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji arrived for dinner, and Neji immediately grew wary of Naruto as Hanabi excitedly asked Kazahana for an autograph.

• Naruto warned Kazahana Koyuki to leave Konoha before the Chunin Exams and the coming danger, but she said Sandayu could manage the Land of Snow.
• Naruto gave Kazahana a marked kunai and a paper crane that would let him sense where she was if she tore it in an emergency.
• Kazahana carefully tucked away both gifts, and Karin's jealousy eased as she recognized Naruto's concern as friendly.
• Hanabi arrived with Hinata and Neji, announcing that they had come for dinner.
• Neji eyed Naruto warily, while Hanabi recognized Kazahana Koyuki as Princess Gale and asked for her autograph.

Naruto and his companions began the second stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams in the Forest of Death. After entering, Team 7 set out to hunt the Kusagakure team before making for the central Tower.

• Hanabi accepted Naruto's head pat while refusing Kazahana Koyuki's, and Hinata went to prepare dinner.
• At the Forest of Death, Mitaraishi Anko explained the rules, distributed consent forms, and started the five-day exam.
• Team 7 entered the forest and regrouped in a secluded thicket.
• Naruto told Sakura and Sasuke they would target the Kusagakure team first, then head toward the Tower and confront other teams along the way.
• Naruto used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to track the Kusagakure team, and Team 7 followed him through the forest.

Team 7 ambushed Kusagakure’s remaining team in the forest, killing two Grass ninja in the opening attack. Sakura’s fight with Grass Ninja C remained unresolved.

• The Grass ninja complained about Konoha taking Karin and discussed their desperate need to pass the exam.
• Grass Ninja C urged his teammates to recover and seek a weaker team before warning them that someone was approaching.
• Team 7 launched a surprise attack, and Naruto decapitated the first Grass ninja with Yasohinokami.
• Sasuke trapped Grass Ninja B with fire techniques and burned him to death.
• Sakura attacked Grass Ninja C with kunai, but the outcome of their fight was not shown.

Team 7 defeated three Kusagakure ninja, and Naruto urged Sakura to kill the unconscious survivor; she did so, then received his support and warning that more battles lay ahead. Naruto’s Shadow Clone found a scroll on Grass Ninja C, leaving the team with a scroll to examine.

• Sakura dodged Grass Ninja C’s attack and knocked him unconscious with a chakra-enhanced punch.
• Naruto warned Sasuke not to burn enemies so completely that any scrolls they carried would be destroyed.
• Naruto handed Sakura a kunai and told her to finish off Grass Ninja C, and she killed him with three kunai.
• Naruto reassured Sakura that hesitation was normal but told her she would face more fights, while Sasuke silently agreed.
• Naruto sent out a Shadow Clone, which found a scroll on Grass Ninja C’s body.

Team 7 and Team 10 defeated three Amegakure ninja and took their Earth Scroll before heading to join the other Konoha teams. Naruto sensed Orochimaru approaching and left a disguised shadow clone to confront him, while the real teams continued onward.

• Naruto led Team 7 to Team 10's battlefield, where Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji had cornered three Amegakure ninja.
• Naruto and Sasuke killed the restrained Rain Ninja, and Naruto killed the third after Ino released her control; Shikamaru retrieved the Earth Scroll.
• Naruto sensed that Team 8 and Neji's trio were nearing each other, so Shikamaru decided both teams should move toward their rendezvous point.
• Naruto sensed Orochimaru nearby, left a disguised shadow clone behind, and led the teams onward.
• Orochimaru arrived and faced Naruto's clone, which claimed it could stop him.

Naruto’s shadow clone held Orochimaru back with precise Wind and Lightning Release attacks, revealing a level of chakra control that unsettled the Sannin. Orochimaru tried to seize Naruto’s body, and the chapter ended as his great white snake lunged for Naruto’s neck.

• Naruto’s shadow clone attacked Orochimaru with Wind Release through a twig, slicing apart several trees as Orochimaru narrowly dodged.
• Orochimaru concealed his identity as a Takigakure ninja and sent a small white snake to sneak behind Naruto’s shadow clone.
• Naruto’s shadow clone struck the snake with a precise Lightning Release attack and recognized Orochimaru’s plan to sneak or escape.
• Orochimaru offered Naruto the Heaven and Earth Scrolls, then attacked with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.
• Naruto’s shadow clone cut apart the snakes and thrust the twig into Orochimaru, who shed his body and lunged at Naruto’s neck as a great white snake.

Naruto’s Shadow Clone outwitted Orochimaru, who escaped the Forest of Death and vowed to target Naruto again. After Naruto reunited with his allies, their groups searched for the scroll they still needed, while Hanabi learned that Karin slept beside Naruto and held his hand at night.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clone cut Orochimaru’s serpentine body before vanishing, revealing that Orochimaru had been deceived.
• Orochimaru emerged from his snake body, reassessed Naruto as a dangerous and valuable target, and vanished into the Forest of Death.
• Naruto reunited with Team 8, Neji, and the others, learned from his Shadow Clone’s memories that Orochimaru had pursued them, and continued moving.
• Naruto’s four squads began sweeping the forest for the Heaven Scroll they needed to enter the Tower.
• Hanabi asked Karin whether she slept in Naruto’s bed, and Karin explained that Naruto gave her the bed and held her hand while they slept.
• Hanabi activated her Byakugan and pressed Karin to confirm that Naruto liked holding her hand.

Hanabi attacked Karin after discovering she had held Naruto’s hand, then asked whether Karin knew the Transformation Technique. Meanwhile, Konoha’s Genin hunted down a group of Sunagakure Genin, who fled toward Gaara’s squad hoping to survive.

• Hanabi used the Gentle Fist to seal Karin’s chakra points, then asked whether she had learned the Transformation Technique.
• The Konoha 12 ambushed nine Sunagakure Genin and scattered them, leaving six to flee into the forest.
• Kiba, Shino, and Choji led the pursuit while Konoha’s Genin picked off the fleeing Sand Ninja one by one.
• The remaining Sunagakure Genin followed Kankuro’s mark toward Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, hoping they would protect them.

Gaara killed the wounded Sunagakure ninjas who begged him for help, while Naruto and the Konoha team watched from the forest. Naruto ordered his companions to retreat, leaving Gaara alive to disrupt Konoha later.

• Wounded Sunagakure ninjas ran into Gaara's clearing and pleaded with Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara to save them from Konoha pursuers.
• Gaara trapped the Sunagakure ninjas with Sand Binding Coffin and crushed them with Sand Burial.
• Naruto and the Konoha team witnessed Gaara's attack from the edge of the clearing.
• Naruto signaled the Konoha team to withdraw, and Shikamaru led them away cautiously.
• Naruto watched Gaara briefly before retreating into the forest, intending for Gaara to disrupt Konoha.

Naruto led his team away from a dangerous Sand Ninja, explaining that protecting their comrades mattered more than fighting for the exam. At the Tower, the group prepared to ambush other teams seeking entry, and Anko recognized their plan while warning them to avoid excessive casualties.

• Naruto explained to Kiba and the others that the red-haired Sand Ninja was dangerous and that retreating protected their comrades.
• Naruto’s group reached the Tower, set up camp, arranged watches, and cooked while waiting outside.
• Anko arrived and questioned why the group had not entered the Tower, and Naruto revealed two Heaven Scrolls.
• Naruto explained that the group was waiting for other teams to bring them the scrolls they needed.
• Anko understood their ambush plan, warned Naruto not to cause too many casualties, and left with two skewers of Three-Color Dango.